ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) is also called Lou Gehrig’s disease, named after the professional baseball player who unexpected retired from baseball in 1939, when he discovered he has the disease.  It is a cruel disease, which usually affects both the lower and upper motor neurons of the brain and spinal cord.  Initial symptoms may include painless but increased weakness of a limb (hand, arm, foot or leg), as well as walking, speech or swallowing difficulty.  It is a neurodegenerative disease that most often occurs in indivudals between the ages of 40 and 70.  Estimations indicate that there are more than 30,000 Americans who are affected by the disease.

The disease is named after French neurologist, Jean-Martin Charcot (1869), yet much remains unknown about the disease.  Physicians have limited treatment choices, at this time, even though the bulk of research addressing options has come into focus within the past 10 years.  The disease is disturbing in that normally healthy individuals suddenly have the disease and the biological reasons remain unknown.  Encouraging research areas include stem cell and gene therapy, night-breathing assistance at the early stages and other treatment options.

ALS patients should seek care from experienced medical providers, as well as mental health professionals who are able to help the family address the difficult issues related to the disease.

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